Laura Kim is known for her twin passions: fashion and food. So it makes perfect sense that the co-founder of Monse, co-creative director of Oscar de la Renta and famously elegant host has launched her own line of tabletop and furniture for Crate & Barrel, available online and in stores today.
Kim created 100 stylish pieces, ranging from wood dining tables and benches, to marble boards, petal-inspired plates, slub linen pillows, fluted glasses and oak-handled measuring cups and spoons. “With this collection, I was able to introduce products that make each day beautiful and delightful,” Kim tells Alexa.
Of course, the New York-based designer’s 182,000 Instagram followers are well aware of her culinary artistry and elite entertaining skills. She regularly posts delectable content featuring everything from festive dinner parties on her leafy terrace — which she throws with her partner, entrepreneur Linus Adolfsson — to her rainbow apple tart, a pie so intricate that fellow designer and television personality Jenna Lyons commented, “Wait wait wait wait — did you do that — I am shook.”
Even if Kim’s elaborate handmade dessert is out of reach, her serveware isn’t. Here, the tastemaker shares her top entertaining tips and must-haves from her new collab.
1. How do you go about building a beautiful tablescape?
The best tablescapes are simple, use an array of textures and varying elevations. Draw inspiration from the season to infuse a touch of nature’s beauty, and complement your menu.
2. The collection features botanical prints on the tablecloth and hand-etchings on the glasses. When creating a party vibe, how important are plants and flowers?
This collection is inspired by my tiny rooftop garden in Soho. The botanical prints and hand-etched glasses are reflections of the joy I find in growing plants, especially during my favorite season, summer, when the garden is in full bloom.
3. What is your signature dish and dessert and how would you present it at a dinner party?
My signature roasted rainbow carrot salad is perfect for the carrot-embossed platter. And for dessert, a cake baked in the scalloped pan would be super cute and steal the show.
4. You and Linus are known for hosting dinners for 40. What’s your favorite type of table for large gatherings?
Long, communal tables reminiscent of the Last Supper are my favorite for large gatherings. The dining tables from my Crate & Barrel collab can easily be combined to create this elongated seating arrangement.
5. Tell us about the dog on the wine stopper. Does he know he’s famous?
My rescue goldendoodle, King! I wanted him to be part of this collection as he’s a cherished part of my home. He is not into fame, he is just very focused on sports!
6. Your embossed rolling pins create beautiful patterns on the dough. Tell us about your favorite one – and which dessert/dough would you make with it?
I love an eyelet fabric for summer, so I designed a rolling pin inspired by this. It’s inspired by the fashion of the season and perfect for creating intricate patterns on butter cookies.
7. It’s almost summer, which means house-guest gifts. What’s the perfect present from your collection?
The berry bowl from my line makes the perfect house-guest gift. I designed the smaller size to fill a gap in the market where larger, family-sized options dominate. I’d pair it with market-fresh fruit for a thoughtful and practical gift.